The Devil's Warrior Queen
Chapter 247: The Marking

Chapter 247: The Marking

As Malika woke up from her slumber, she groaned softly as she sat up in a slightly dazed state, her body still reeling from the unprecedented aftermath of being marked. Subconsciously, she rubbed on her neck where he had bitten her to feel the bite mark, and as her fingers grazed against it lightly, it emitted a slight spark from the friction.

The sudden ring of Zamiel’s voice resonating from the other side of the room averted her attention as she instinctively faced him.

"You are awake." He said while approaching her with a tray of food in his hand and a plastered smile on his face.

Seeing him smile so randomly and so constantly was the most disbelieving thing that had ever transpired in the past few weeks, even amongst every other unpredictable and unprecedented event that had taken place.

She still found it a hassle to get used to it and not become so shocked or bedazzled by the sight of him smiling so earnestly at her. She would never have imagined the stoic, cold vampire lord to ever greet her on a beautiful morning with a tender smile playing on his lips. He was simply a contrast of his former self.

Unlike his present self, his presence had been an icy chill that permeated the very air, his demeanor was as unyielding as the frozen peaks that surrounded his domain. Zamiel’s countenance was etched with a silent severity, his piercing eyes harbored the ancient knowledge and unspoken sorrows of centuries past.

And for ages, Zamiel had ruled by Draco’s side with an ironclad will, commanding legions of infernal minions and wielding power that struck fear into the hearts of mortals and supernatural beings alike.

His name had echoed in whispers across realms, spoken with a mixture of reverence and dread, for he was known not only for his indomitable strength but also for his unyielding detachment from the affairs of the world.

At first, their meeting was one of confrontation. Zamiel, entrenched in his stoic reserve, regarded Malika as a mere captive from another ruined kingdom, nothing more than another lost cause from war.

Her tenacity, however, proved to be a compelling force, slowly chiseling away at the impenetrable facade he had meticulously crafted over eons. Despite himself, he found her presence stirring emotions long forgotten, thawing the frost that encased his heart.

Weeks had turned into a delicate dance between these two disparate souls. Malika, undeterred by Zamiel’s initial tepid nature, displayed an unwavering kindness and empathy that gradually began to unravel the enigmatic demon lord’s icy exterior, Zamiel discovered a newfound fascination with the complexities of mortal emotions, a realm he had long forsaken.

Malika’s unwavering optimism and compassion acted as a catalyst, fostering within Zamiel a tender side he never believed existed within him. He found himself captivated by her unwavering spirit, her ability to see past the shadowy mask that cloaked his true self. In her presence, he experienced a subtle transformation, a shift from the callous ruler to a being touched by a burgeoning sense of empathy and understanding.

As days turned into nights, his demeanor softened, his once frigid countenance now adorned with fleeting smiles and a gentler gaze.

His interactions with Malika became marked by a genuine warmth, a connection forged through shared experiences and newfound emotions that had blossomed within his previously barren heart.

Zamiel, the stoic and cold demon lord, stood at a crossroads, his existence forever altered by the radiant presence of Malika.

The once unyielding dark lord found solace and companionship in her company, learning to guide the tumultuous seas of emotions he had long disregarded.

With her by his side, he discovered a sense of purpose beyond his dominion, embracing the transformative power of love and connection in a world steeped in darkness and shadows.

"Malika?" He called out to the lost girl.

"Huh?" She stuttered as she snapped out of her thoughts, lashes fluttering as she dropped her gaze on him.

"How are you feeling?" He asked as he took a seat next to her on the bed.

Immediately his cologne wafted into her nose, and her recollected memories suddenly came to her like a tingling sensation at the back of her head, as if reminding her that she had regained them.

Unexpectedly, she threw herself into his arms as she wrapped her arms around him tightly as if never wanting to let go, while she buried her face in the nook of his neck and inhaled his cologne deeply. It somehow held a magic in it to soothe her senses, leaving her dazed as if she had a mild concussion.

Whispering into his ears with an airy voice, she said "I remember everything now, about us."

She figured that the reason her lost memories were regained was as a result of the marking. As their souls and physical forms bonded, the bond retrieved the suppressed memories.

She felt him tense in their embrace as he sighed in relief, but oddly, she could sense the discernible feeling of guilt oozing from his essence even without looking at his eyes or face.

Breaking from the hug, she observed his countenance, the way his red eyes dilated with the reflection of guilt in them, and the subtle crease of his brows proved her instincts right.

"There’s nothing for you to feel guilty of, we’re here now, that’s all that matters." She said in a small, endearing voice as she caressed his hand with an affectionate smile on her face.

"What was bothering you last night?" He suddenly asked, his smile swiftly dropping from his face as he retained a hard demeanor, effortlessly shifting between tenderness and severity.

Immediately he asked, her composure shook as she nervously fidgeted with her clothes while avoiding eye contact as she looks away frantically. Thinking of her encounter with the devil, a wave of terror suddenly washed down on her, it was a moment she could never not relive.

She could still vividly see his cold, burning eyes piercing into the depths of her soul, the crooked, empty smile that oozed a spine tingling darkness from within.

Meanwhile Zamiel’s gaze was fixed on her, his appearance was deceptive, draped in an elegant, sinister allure that masked the complexities within. His sharp, obsidian eyes held depths unknown to most, capable of unraveling the deepest of secrets.

Jolting up from her seat, she stood before him, attempting to hide her distress behind a facade of composure. Her celestial beauty contrasted with the turmoil evident in the furrow of her brows and the faint tremor in her hands and there wasn’t a body movement from her that went unnoticed by his eyes.

"Malika," Zamiel’s voice resonated with a blend of concern and command, his demeanor shifting abruptly from gentle tenderness to a stern, unwavering gaze. "What troubles you, my love? Your attempts to conceal it are in vain. Your demeanor betrays the inner turmoil."

Malika averted her gaze, attempting to evade his penetrating stare. She hesitated, the weight of her unspoken worries casting a palpable unease in the room. Her angelic nature urged her to uphold serenity, but her inner turmoil threatened to spill over.

"I...It’s nothing, Zamiel," she murmured softly, her voice tinged with reluctance. "Just fleeting thoughts that trouble my mind. They hold no significance." She hated that she was a bad liar and Zamiel’s disbelieving look blatantly pointed it out to her.

Still, his countenance remained steadfast, a mixture of patience and insistence. His eyes bore into hers, unwavering in their pursuit of truth. "Malika, you know I can sense the turmoil within you. Concealment is futile. Please, share your burden with me after all, our souls and bodies are bonded, it won’t be long until I get it out of you."

Malika’s resolve wavered under his unwavering gaze. She knew she couldn’t hide the truth from him any longer. With a heavy sigh, she yielded to his persistence and began to reveal the source of her distress.

"It’s about the Devil.." She trailed off, her voice laden with worry as it cracked under the intensifying force of fear.

Zamiel’s stern demeanor softened slightly as he absorbed her words. He approached her, his presence a comforting yet formidable presence beside her. "Continue, Malika. What else troubles you about him?"

Looking around with prudent eyes as if someone else would hear them, she said "You’ll have to promise not to tell anyone else, not even Draco."

Zamiel listened intently, absorbing her words with a solemn understanding. His features, once stern, now conveyed a sense of shared concern, with a hint of caution in his squinted eyes.

"I won’t." He simply said with a rather flat tone.

She narrowed her eyes at him and he added in with seriousness "I promise."

A sense of relief washed over Malika as she felt the weight of her worries subside a little, but she was still a bit heedful on revealing the truth to him.

He handled her fear of Lucifer with trivial concern, thinking she was just being a little too concerned as usual, not until she disclosed everything to him.

"He paid me a visit last night and gave me an offer.